Balloon target missile



Nov. 19, 1968 R. M. BARRY BALLOON TARGET MISSILE Filed Nov. 16, 1965INVENTOR. 20552 7' M 54.9251

4r Tde/VEYS United States Patent 3,411,778 BALLOON TARGET MISSILE RobertM. Barry, 7921 Noel Court, Richmond, Va. 23234 Filed Nov. 16, 1965, Ser.No. 508,115 Claims. (Cl. 273-1054) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A freelyflying target having a body portion of appreciable Weight for projectioninto a trajectory. The body has aifixed thereto an inflatable balloonwhich serves as a target member and which is deflated when struck byprojectiles. A brightly colored indicator ribbon is attached to the bodyportion to facilitate retrieving of the target body.

This invention relates to marksmanship targets of the missile type, andparticularly to a balloon-equipped target missile, wherein the ballooncomponent is replaceably interchangeable.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a morepractical, efficient, versatile, and economical device of the kindindicated, which is adapted to be projected into a ballistic arc, eithermanually, or by means of a mechanical device, such as a sling-shot orspringoperated catapult; and which is constructed so that the bodycomponent thereof is recoverable in an unimpaired condition, at the endof flight, the nose of the body component being provided with a spikewhich is adapted to enter the ground or other penetrable surface inadvance of the body component, and hold the body component in anundamaged upright and readily accessible position.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of thecharacter indicated above, which is composed of a body component ofsubstantial construction, and a balloon component which is attached totrail the body component, the body component having means, on the rearthereof, which acts both to align the balloon component longitudinallywith respect to the body component, and to substantially reduce sidewiseoscillation of the balloon component relative to the body component, soas to assure stabilized flight of the device, while at the same timepreventing stresses on the balloon component which would otherwise tendto weaken the same and loosen its connection with the body component.

A further object of the invention is the provision in a device of thecharacter indicated above, of simplified and easily used means forseparably securing the balloon component to the body component, the saidmeans utilizing the tension provided by a stretched condition of theneck of the balloon component for secure retentive effect, the saidmeans affording quick and uncomplicated connection and disconnection ofthe balloon component.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the body component of a device of theinvention;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal section, taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, apart of an associated balloon component, in phantom lines, being shownattached to the body component;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation, on a reduced scale, showing the device inflight and trailed by a locater ribbon or tape, and showing, in phantomlines, a sling cord;

FIGURE 4 is a schematic view illustrating a trajectory of the device;and

FIGURE 5 is a view, like FIGURE 2, of another form of the deviceshowing, in phantom lines, a trailing locater ribbon.

3,411,778 Patented Nov. 19, 1968 "ice Referring in detail to thedrawing, and first to FIG- URES 1 to 4 thereof, the device 10illustrated therein comprises an elongated body component 12, and aballoon component 14.

The body component 12 comprises a preferably solid cylindrical andlongitudinally-elongated body 16, of suitable weighty material,including plastic, having a uniformly cylindrical main or rear portion18, and a forwardly-tapered portion 20, the latter terminating in anelongated reduced diameter pointed spike 22. The body 16 has a squaredor planar rear end 24.

Fixed flush with the rear end 24 of the body 16, as by means of anaxially-disposed screw 26 having a head 27, the screw 26 being threadedinto an axial bore 28, into the body 16, is a replaceable rearwardly andoutwardly-flaring hollow cylindrical balloon component stabilizer 30,preferably composed of a plastic material such as, for example, rubber,and having suflicient resilience to be resistant to damage from shocks,such as falling contacts with the ground or other surfaces in the targetarea. The balloon component stabilizer 30 is formed of such resilientand elastic material to prevent the shattering thereof from impact withshot and to minimize the surface indentation thereof from shot while atthe same time, providing a surface of such material as may be easilyrepairable from shot indentation and/or for economic replacement whendesired or when it becomes so necessary.

The stabilizer 30 can be integrally constructed or, as shown, may becomposed of a longitudinally-elongated cup 32 having a bottom wall 34 ofsubstantial cross-section and formed therethrough with an axial bore 36in which the related end of the screw 26 is suitably anchored. The innerend of the bottom wall 34 is formed with a counterbore 38 affording aseat for the set screw 27. A relatively thin, cylindrical, tapered andrearwardly-flaring sidewall 40 extends rearwardly from the bottom wall34 and has a squared or planar end 42 disposed substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the stabilizer 30. As shown inFIGURE 2, the forward end of the cup 32 is smaller in diameter than thebody 16, so that an annular shoulder 44 is defined thereat. The outersurfaces of the cup sidewall 40 and the bottom wall 34 are flared intoeach other and having a continuous concave longitudinal curvature, asindicated at 46.

The stabilizer 30 comprises a tubular bell 48 longer than the cup 32,having a sidewall 50, preferably of substantially uniform cross-section,which has the longitudinal curvature that provides the concave outersurface 52 and a convex inner surface 54.

The inner surface 54 of the bell sidewall 50, at the forward endthereof, conforms to the concave outer surface 46, of the cup 32, sothat, with the stabilizer 30 detached from the body 16, the bell 48 canbe conformably telescoped into the cup 32, from the forward end of thelatter, for assembling the bell and the cup. In the assembled conditionof the bell and the cup, the squared or planar forward end 56 of thebell 48 is flush with the forward end of the cup 32, and abuts theshoulder 44. The assembled cup and bell and the attached screw 26 areadapted to be together rotated for securing and detaching the stabilizer30 from the body 16.

The sidewall 50 of the bell 48 has a maximum diameter rear end portion58 which extends rearwardly beyond the rear end of the sidewall of thecup 32, the rear end 60 of the bell sidewall being formed With uniformflexible scallops 62, and a transversely-extending opening 63 is formedin one of the scallops 62 to serve a function to be described. The edgesof the scallops '62 serve to grip the balloon component 14 and reduceany tendency thereof to rotate relative to the stabilizer 30. Thescallops 62 also provide a cushioning means to absorb shock and minimizerupture of the balloon component upon impact of the device with theground, so that if the balloon component 14 is not ruptured by impact ofshot while in trajectory, it remains inflated upon ground impact toprovide a stationary target for the marksman.

The length of the stabilizer 30, relative to the length of the ballooncomponent 14, is such that the stabilizer protectively encloses asubstantial portion of the forward end of the balloon component,including its neck, without encumbering any significant part of the mainbody target portion thereof.

The balloon component 14 is in the form of a cylindrical, longitudinallyelongated balloon 64, having a uniformly cylindrical main body portion66, having a forwardly-tapered substantially reduced diameter neck 68,on its forward end. The neck 68 terminates, at its forward end, in aflared inflating nipple 70, surrounded by a reinforcing bead 72.

For releasably attaching the balloon 64 to the body component 12, thesidewall 50, of the bell 48, is formed, from its rear end 60, between anadjacent pair of scallops 62, with a single longitudinal access slot 74,which extends forwardly to a point slightly beyond its midlength point,where the slot 74 enters one side of a laterally-oifset, enlargeddiameter hole 76. The hole 76 is registered with a similar hole 78formed in the sidewall 40 of the cup 32, from which an access slot 80,similar to and registered with the slot 74, extends rearwardly to therear end of the sidewall of the cup 32. At a locationdiametrically-opposite the slots 74 and 80, the walls of the bell 48 andthe cup 32 are formed, from the rear ends thereof, with aligned andregistered, forwardly-tapered, relatively narrow wedge slots 82 and 84,which, at their forward ends 86 and 88, respectively, stop at pointsspaced rearwardly relative to the forward ends of the access slots 74and 80.

The balloon 64 having been inflated, by connection of the nipple 70 witha source of air or other suitable gas (not shown) under pressure, theballoon neck is twisted upon itself so as to retain the air in theballoon, and the twisted neck 68 is then passed forwardly into the cup32 through the access slots 74 and 80, and is brought out through theholes 76 and 78. The neck 68 is stretched lengthwise, wrapped around theoutside of the stabilizer 30, brought rearwardly along the outsidethereof. The stretched neck is then jammed forwardly along the wedgeslots 82 and 84, with the nipple 70 inside the stabilizer 30, as shownin FIGURE 2, so that the neck is squeezed shut against the escape of airfrom the balloon and the balloon is expanded against the interior of thestabilizer.

To detach the balloon '64 from the body component 12, all that isnecessary is to pull the neck 68 out of the wedge slots, let the neckunwrap itself from around the stabilizer, and then pull the neck out ofthe access holes K 76 and 78.

For projecting the device into a target trajectory, for target practicetherewith, by means of a sling-shot or a cord sling, or aspring-operated catapult (not shown), a laterally-extendingrearwardly-opening hook 90 is provided on the tapered forward endportion of the body component 16. In manually-projecting the device intoa trajectory, a cord 92 with a loop 93 on one end thereof, is provided,which is adapted to be secured around a wrist, with the free end 94 ofthe cord between the thumb and forefinger, so as to form a loop 97, withwhich the hook 90 is engaged, and the device 10 then dangles therefrom.The device 10 is adapted to be slung upwardly and forwardly, and at thesame time, the free end of the cord is released, so as to project thedevice into trajectory.

A flexible ribbon 99, preferably having a bright color, has one of itsends threaded through and secured in the opening 63, and has a freetrailing end 99a which serves as means for clearly indicating thelocation of the body component of the device, at the end of itstrajectory,

assuming that the balloon had been successfully burst in flight, as intall grass, or the like, where the body component would otherwise bedifficult to locate.

In FIGURE 5 is shown another form of the device 10, the new form bearingthe general reference numeral 100, composed of a body component 12a anda balloon component 14a. The balloon component 14a consists of a balloon64a, similar to the balloon 64, and having a neck 68a. The bodycomponent 12a has a body 16a similar in conformation to the body 16, ofthe device of FIGURES 1 to 4, supplemented by a balloon neck-securingspring clip 96, on one side of the forward end of the main portion ofthe stabilizer body. The body 16a has a squared or planar rear end 24a,and is formed in its outer surface, adjacent to this rear end, with anannular groove 98.

A stabilizer 30a comprises a longitudinally-elongated bell 48a having atits forward end, an internal diameter not substantially greater thanthat of the body 16a. The forward end of the bell 48a is formed with anintegral bead 102, adapted to be passed over the rear end of the body16a and to snap into the groove 98, for releasably securing thestabilizer to the body 16a.

The sidewall 50a of the bell 48a is formed with an access slot 74a, anaccess hole 76a, like those FIGURES 1 to 4, and with adiametrically-extending ribbon port a through which the forward end of acombination sling cord and brightly-colored finder ribbon 100, similarto the ribbon 99, is extended and secured to comprise a permanent, butreplaceable adjunct of the device 10a, eliminating the necessity ofproviding a separate sling cord.

In attaching the balloon 64a to the body component 12a, the procedure isthe same as with the device of FIGURES 1 to 4, except that, once theballoon neck 68a has been wrapped around the exterior of the bell 48a,it is stretched to and jammed, behind its nipple 70a, under the springclip 96, instead of being jammed in the wedge slots absent from the bell48a.

The device 100, when serving its intended function as a marksmanstarget, is placed in trajectory by the operator who manually grasps thefree end 100a of the ribbon 100, and whirls the device 10a in anydesired manner to create a centrifugal force on the device 10a which,upon release of the free end 100:: of the ribbon 100, places the device10a in a desired trajectory. Thus, the ribbon 100 serves a dual purposein that it serves (1) as a means for placing the device 10a intrajectory, and (2) it serves as means for clearly indicating thelocation of the body component of the device 10a at the end of itstrajectory (assuming that the balloon has been successfully burst inflight) should the device 10a fall in tall grass or the like, where thebody component would otherwise be diflicult to locate.

It is to be observed that in cases where the balloon has not been hitand burst on the trajectories of the devices, the balloon can serve asan excellent stationary ground target.

The balloon as used in either modification can also containbright-colored material, such as confetti, indicated at 97, colored gas,irridescent paper strips, and the like, all of which could be introducedinto the balloon at the time of its inflation. This added material isreleased, of course, upon'the bursting of the balloon while intrajectory, and gives rise to a spectacular effect, and which alsoserves to dramatize a hit by the marksman as the filler materialdisburses in the air; it also serves as a momentary visual marker forthe marksman indicating the general location in which the target, whenhit, may be found.

Having described and illustrated two embodiments of this invention indetail, it will be understood that the same are offered merely by way ofexample, and that this invention is to be limited only by the scope ofthe appended claims.

I claim: 1. A device of the character described comprising an elongatedbody of appreciable weight for projection into a trajectory, said bodyhaving forwardly and rearwardlydisposed opposed ends, andposition-indicating means secured to and trailing said body for sightingsaid body on the ground at the end of its trajectory, target means forsaid body, said target means comprising an inflatable balloon, saidposition-indicating means comprising an elongated length of flexiblematerial having a pair of opposed ends, and means for connecting one endof said material to said body intermediate the ends thereof, the otherend of said material being free to trail said body, and means forreleasably securing said balloon to said rear end of said body, andwherein said length of material is of a bright color for assistance invisually locating said body, said body being longitudinally elongatedand having a hollow rearwardly-fiaring stabilizer extendinglongitudinally from its rear end, said balloon having a main portionbeing conformably-engaged in the rear end of the stabilizer, saidballoon having a reduced diameter neck extending forwardly within thestabilizer, and securing means on the stabilizer serving tocompressively close and hold the balloon neck to the stabilizer, and anaxial forwardly-extending pointed spike on the forward end of the body.

2. A device as defined in claim 1, wherein said body comprises auniformly cylindrical rear portion and a forwardly-tapering forward endportion.

3. A device as defined in claim 2, wherein said stabilizer has aninternal bead at its forward end and said body is formed at the rear endthereof with an internal groove into which said bead is snapped.

4. A device as defined in claim 3, wherein said stabilizer has asidewall, said securing means comprising access slot means extendingforwardly in said sidewall from the rear end thereof, the balloon neckbeing passed forwardly through said access slot means to the'exterior ofthe stabilizer and wrapped around the stabilizer, said balloon neckterminating in a flared nipple, andjamrning means on the body in whichthe balloon neck is jammed in a streached and compressed conditionbehind its nipple.

5. A device as defined in claim 4, wherein said jamming means comprisesa leaf spring clip on the exterior of the body.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 205,220 6/ 1878 Turner 273-105.52,481,522 9/ 1949 Livermon 273105.4 X

FOREIGN PATENTS 778,969 1/ 1935 France.

14,452 1905 Great Britain.

ANTON O. OECHSLE, Primary Examiner.

M. R. PAGE, Assistant Examiner.

